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Lakira Smith reaches out the window at the Christmas lights Wednesday at the Natchez Visitors Center. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Christmas displays are lit up Wednesday at the Natchez Visitors Center. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Vehicles file behind each other while people view the Christmas decorations Wednesday at the Natchez Visitors Center. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The Vidalia Riverfront decorations are lit up for the public to view during the holiday season Wednesday in Vidalia. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The Vidalia Riverfront decorations are lit up for the public to view during the holiday season Wednesday in Vidalia. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The Vidalia Riverfront decorations are lit up for the public to view during the holiday season Wednesday in Vidalia. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Janet Passman looks at the Christmas lights at the Natchez Visitors Center. Wednesday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Chris Johnson smiles back at his daughter Kyra Johnson while the two look at Christmas lights together Wednesday at the Natchez Visitors Center. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Vehicles lined up Wednesday night to drive through and view the Christmas display at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center.

Janet Passman, who describes herself as a child at heart, said she remembers going to see the decorations with her grandparents when they were part of the International Paper Company decorations from 1955 until 1973 when the tradition ended due to an energy crisis.

“It makes me happy,” Passman said. “It makes me smile to get into the Christmas spirit.”

As Passman drove past the decorations, the lights reflected in her car’s paint and windows like memories from her childhood to be reflected upon for a moment and then left behind.

Chris Johnson followed behind her in his vehicle with his daughter, Kyra Johnson, 2, who could be heard yelling with excitement from the backseat. “Daddy! Look!” Kyra Johnson said. “It’s a reindeer, and there’s Santa.”

Chris Johnson said anytime he passes Christmas lights, Kyra Johnson starts yelling with excitement, so he decided taking her to the visitors center display was a perfect opportunity to make some memories.

“I took her here when she was a baby but this will be the first time she will be able to remember it,” Chris Johnson said. “Making her happy, that’s what it’s about.”

Lakira Smith and her daughter Mariah McKnight, 2, drove up behind Johnson.

Smith said what is important to her is being with her daughter and making her happy.

“My mom and dad and grandma used to do this with me when I was young,” Smith said. “Now I get to do this with her. I know she will love this.”

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